Ace Hardware helping rebuild lives
While the series of typhoons late last year has gone, many of those severely affected are still trying to rebuild their lives. To help fast-track recovery, ACE Hardware staff recently donated much-needed items such as bed and mats, PPEs, and cleaning materials to affected residents of Kasiglahan Village in Rodriguez, Rizal. This activity was done jointly with SM Foundation and the local DSWD chapter.
To fulfill its “Helpful Place” promise, ACE Hardware serves communities through outreach initiatives like this, as well as provide customers nationwide with relevant and helpful products.
PhilHealth COVID-19 response wins ASEAN
Social Security Association award
The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation was recently cited by the ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) during its virtual 37th Board meeting held in December 2020.
PhilHealth received the Continuous Improvement Recognition Award from the region’s leading social security association for its “efforts in Covid-19 as catalyst for evolving the payment mechanism towards UHC’s progressive realization”.
Early last year, the state health insurer rolled-out benefit packages to provide members with financial protection against the prohibitive testing and treatment costs for the dreaded disease. Among these packages are the SARS-CoV-2 testing package, community isolation package, Benefit package for those with mild to no symptoms, and inpatient care depending on the severity of the patient’s pneumonia.
PhilHeath President and Chief Executive Officer Atty. Dante A. Gierran received the award on behalf of the Agency. “We would like to sincerely thank the ASSA Board for recognizing our COVID-19 response in support of the Government’s thrust to curb the pandemic. This award is a testament to the Government’s genuine concern for those who contracted the disease, as well as to the dedicated healthcare workers who have been with us all along this fight,” Gierran said of the award.
The ASSA is composed of social security agencies from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, LAO PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines.
Family physicians group collaborates with eZConsult
for remote consultation
The Philippine Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP) has collaborated with virtual healthcare app eZConsult as the digital platform for its remote consultation initiative dubbed Family and Community Engagement through Telehealth Service (FACETS), which is geared towards serving residents of local communities who are experiencing COVID-related symptoms but have not yet seen by a medical professional.
The FACETS program aims to promote the creation of a private-public partnership between local government units and the PAFP. During the pandemic, the FACETS volunteer family physicians will offer free virtual consultation services for COVID cases, provide health education, and primary care counseling for patients and their families.
PAFP, the specialty organization of Family Medicine specialists, is one of the largest medical specialty organizations under the umbrella of the Philippine Medical Association with more than 7,000 members across the country.
Through FACETS, the PAFP proactively responds to medical needs of the community by helping to address the ongoing threat of COVID-19, which is in line with the academy’s long-term commitment to empower Filipino families with reliable access to efficient healthcare to all and as called for under the Universal Health Care Law.
Available in both iOS and Android, the eZConsult mobile app has integrated retail pharmacy partners, laboratories, and fintech companies that can provide advice, support and services to both doctors and patients through the platform.
Safer al fresco dining at Araneta City’s #PopUpNight
Araneta City’s well-loved weekend al fresco offering at the Manhattan Row continues this 2021!
Experience the City of Firsts’ #PopUpNight Dine Out Weekend along Malvar Street in a much longer time — now from 3 to 11 p.m. every Friday and Saturday — for a taste of fun and safe street feast in a ‘new normal’ environment.
Diners will still enjoy an open-air food adventure through the al fresco offerings of stores like Ally’s All Day Breakfast, Giovanni’s, Marina Grill, Mang Inasal, Gilligan’s, The Eatery, Mister Kabab, Bonchon, and Moonleaf Milk Tea.
Sidestreet booths of Pizza Hut, Dairy Queen, and Taco Bell will also be available to provide a more convenient outdoor dining feel. Just order your favorites at their booth, and wait for your food to be delivered to your seats!
Other food stalls will also open along the road to offer more choices to the dining patrons.
Araneta City’s #PopUpNight gives the public a safer option for eating out during the pandemic.
Metro Pacific commits to UNGC, SASB
Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC) committed to two sustainability alliances, geared towards perpetuating the global standards of monitoring the sustainability initiatives of corporations.
MPIC has confirmed participation in both the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the largest corporate sustainability initiative aimed to align strategies and operations with universal principles on good governance and ethical business practices; and the Sustainable Accounting Board Alliance (SASB), a program for organizations and individuals that support the need for more decision-useful, cost-effective sustainability disclosure.
In a letter signed by its president and chief executive officer Jose Ma. K. Lim, MPIC affirmed its responsibility to the UNGC’s 10 principles to meet fundamental responsibilities in the four areas: human rights, labor, environment and anti-corruption; and to take strategic actions to advance broader societal goals, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with an emphasis on collaboration and innovation.
Prior to its participation, MPIC implements the 10 core principles, instilled in its existing company policies, sustainability initiatives, and corporate social responsibility programs.
Through MPIC’s commitment to participate in the UNGC, the corporation obliges to disclose any relevant policies, procedures, activities that the company has taken or plans to undertake to implement these principles in each of the four issue areas, as well as provide a measurement of the initiatives’ outcomes.
Special offer for Honda Cars BR-V customers
Honda Cars Philippines Inc. (HCPI), has announced a special offer exclusively for their BR-V customers.
Until Feb. 28, 2021, customers who will purchase any variant and year model of BR-V are entitled to a free one year periodic maintenance service (PMS). Upon the release of their vehicle, customers will receive their 10,000kms./6th month, and 20,000kms./12th month PMS vouchers, whichever comes first.
The vouchers will contain the vehicle’s model, variant, conduction number, chassis and engine number.
To claim their free PMS, customers must present each voucher to an authorized Honda car service center on their respective scheduled PMS dates, within the 12-month period from the release date of their vehicles.
The BR-V PMS program is on top of the current cash discount and financing promos available this month. Customers may enjoy this exclusive offer with the following suggested retail prices.
Finscore, Union Bank to boost accessibility to financial services
Union Bank of the Philippines has signed a partnership agreement with FinScore, an alternative credit scoring company powered by telco data and advanced analytics, aiming to promote market efficiencies and expand the access for Filipinos to a broad range of financial services.
FinScore works with banks to improve financial inclusion and access to credit for consumers and small businesses left out of the traditional financial system.
The partnership will enhance UnionBank’s credit decisions in several key products, including, but not limited to credit cards, quick loans, salary loans, POS loans, as well as enabling access to digital-first credit scoring solutions to its fully-owned subsidiaries.
Microsoft PH among HR Asia’s best companies to work for in Asia
Microsoft Philippines was recently named one of the ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia 2020’ by HR Asia.
The organization was recognized for its performance in workplace excellence, human capital development, and outstanding employee engagement.
HR Asia is one of the most recognizable and authoritative HR publications in the world. Their ‘Best Companies to Work for in Asia’ awards is the largest program of its kind in Asia and is held annually across 11 markets throughout the region.
Microsoft Philippines quickly shifted to a remote workforce in light of COVID-19, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of its employees early on. Throughout the pandemic, employees and their families were given free access to health adn wellness resources to care for their mental well-being. In addition, they’ve continuously introduced engagement and enrichment programs and initiatives to maintain employee morale.
Mineski Global aids frontliners, pushes responsible gaming for youth
While the pandemic has disrupted or slowed down many industries, Mineski Global did not stop the upward trajectory of the gaming industry in the Philippines and across Southeast Asia.
At the onset of the enhanced community quarantine, Mineski was able to raise $20,000 for frontliners and hospitals in the Philippines through a month-long series of Lockdown Games.
Meanwhile, its pro tournaments in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand have hit record highs in terms of total concurrent viewers and total number of hours viewed.
Mineski has also partnered with leading brands across other industries to develop new ways to engage with audiences.
Strategic partnerships in 2020 include Gameloft for brands, to create bespoke ways for brands to reach gaming audiences, and Ayala Malls, to deliver an alternative interactive shopping experience.
Mineski is also laying the foundations in promoting responsible gaming for the youth, with its Youth Esports Program being recognized by national sports association Pilipinas E-Sports Organization as one of its flagship activities in the coming year. Through the program, esports is being integrated as a co-curricular activity and tournaments are being held to discover a deep pool of talent for esports across the country.
